Automatic hair-cutting machine



V E. v. N. TOMASULO. AUTOMATIC HAIR CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 17, 1920.

Patented May 31, 1921.

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APPLICATION FILED 050.17, 1920.

Patented May 31,1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. V. N. TOMASULO.

AUTOMATIC HAIR CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 05c. 11, 1920.

Patented May 31, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

FIG. 12.

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. INVENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EPIFANIO V. N. TOMASULO, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

T 0 allwhom it may concern.

Be it known that I, EPIFANIO V. N. TOMA- sULo, a subject of the King of Italy, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Hair-Cutting Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to hair clippers, of the power driven type, and is more directly involved with the provision of a double cutter for this type of work.

It is ordinarily necessary for the barber to provide himself with two clippers, one of which is for fine, close, work and the other for work where close or fine cuttingis not desired. This duplication is avoided by my invention wherein there are two sorts of clippers combined in the same case, and conveniently set so that either of them can be used on the customer. I

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide a case for a double cutter of the character indicated which presents to the neck and head of the customer, a properly graded curve or convexity so that the operator can readily hold the structure in position to accomplish the length of cut that he wishes, and can easily guide and slide the device along.

It is another object to provide a single operating plate which works the movable toothed plates of both clipper units, and to impart oscillation to this plate in a simple and effective manner from a revolving shaft of the type ordinarily employed with such machines.

lt isanother object to provide a simple handle for the machines which handle is preferably used also as a mounting means for the operating mechanism of the oscillating plate above mentioned.

This handle is preferably also held in place by the same device that holds the upper portion of the machine casing, and both are simply mounted on the base portion, so as to be readily removed for clean ing, carrying with them the mechanism referred to.

Thus the lower plate of my casing, having the special convexlty referred to, serves to mount the fixed cutter plates, acts as a guide or bearing for the oscillatingplate. The upper portion or" the casing carrles the AUTOMATIC HAIR-CUTTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patent d M 31 1921 Application filed December 17, 1920. Serial No. 431,440.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the complete dev ce.

Fig. 4 1s a like view to Fig.

p 2 showing a different base contour.

. Fig. 5 is a detail horizontal section showlng an alternative method of mounting and guiding the oscillating operating plate.

Fig. 6 is a detail vertical cross section of the sameparts.

Fig. 7 tion of the same and 6.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the cover plate.

, Fig. 9 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 10 is a plan view ofthe operating plate.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 12 is an end elevation of the plate shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

In describing my device I will first refer to the base of the casing, as in the contours parts shown in Figs. 5

thereof reside an important feature of my invention.

As noted the base 1 (Fig. 2) and the base '1 (Fig. 4) both serve to support the entire mechanism of the device. Referring first to the 'base 1, it will be observed that it comprises sides 2, 2, transverse ribs 3, 3, and a central boss 4. y

The under side. of this casing base, is formed on a gradual oval curve having its apex at the central part thereof, and its transverse elements parallel. In width this portion is suflicient to take a bearing on the neck of the customerand not rock sidewise.

Extending from the outer limits of this gradual curve are more sharply upward turning portions 5, 5, in offsets of which the fixed cutter plates 6 and 6- are mounted. The cutter plates 6, and 6, are respectively fine and coarse at their toothed extremities 7, and 7, and they are so countersunk into is a detail vertical longitudinal secthe body of the portions 5 of the base that they form a straight line substantially tangential to the curve of the base up to the point of attachment.

1 Of the sharper curve it should be noted the extent of permitthat it is gradual to ting. a number of different angles resulting to the blade osition and wide enough to provide a wi e fulcrum for the tilting of the base against the head and neck of a customer.

The form in Fig. 4 having the base 1 corresponds in its contours and is similarly numbered to the parts shown in Fig. 2 except for the base 1 which is flat. T find that the former construction permits an easier general manipulation by the barber, enabling him to rock the device away from hair cutting position while he observes the work without lifting the body away from the head, or neck, and to rock it back again in a smooth and even manner. The rounded contour of the central elements of the said base are not, however, essential, and my construction in Fig. 4 will accomplish all the other advantageous features of the invention. i

The upper cover of the casing comprises a plate 8 substantially flat and resting on the sides of the base at the central portions, but turning up at the ends as at 9, 9, said ends being equipped with posts 10, 10, which are directed at an angle perpendicular to the angle of the fixed cutter plates on the base. This cover has a central aperture 11,

and preferably'is otherwise of unbroken surface so as to cover up the operating parts within the caslng. The body around the out out as at 12 to form a central aperture is post of the seat for the central hollow handle.

Held on studs 13, 13, suitably mounted in the fixed cutter plates, are the movable cutter plates 14,14 one being fine and the other coarse, to match the respective fixed plates. Slots 15 in the said movable plates permit of a sliding of said plates on the fixed plates thereby imparting to the teeth a clipping motion.

Hoods 16, 16, are provided which come ,down over the movable plates and press them with the desired degree of closeness against the fixed plates and hold them in place on the mounting studs. These hoods are set over the posts 10, by means of thumb nuts 17, which bear on the hoods through the medium of spring washers or. ,the like, as shown at 18.

These hoods are thus removable with the cover, so as to expose the movable plates without other manipulations, and without requiring a re-adjustment when the parts are re-assembled.

The .handle is of special form adapting it to the mounting of the operating mechaof this post end, having a bearing handle body comprises a hollow post element 19 for the operating worm 20 of,.

the flexible shaft 21. It has also a seat 22 for a worm wheel 23, that meshes with the worm, and a housing 24 to one side of the worm bearing portion forthe flexible shaft.

In this housing 24 is mounted a set screw 25 for engaging a groove in the end of the flexible shaft, to hold it in place'with the squared end thereof engaging within a socket 26, at "the end of the worm.

Running lengthwise of the machine and at the side the worm bearing portion is a plate 27 for grasping by the fingers of the operator, and a finger engaging tongue 28 extends laterally from this grasping plate 27.

At the opposite side of the handle body post, at the broadened upper end thereof is another grasp plate 29, and a thumb notch 30 formed laterally thereof.

A cap 31 is provided for, the handle which fits down over the upper end of the mechanism housing portion thereof, and a mounting post 32, secured in the central boss of the base passes up through the hollow post structure, and through the cap 31, a thumb nut 33 being provided for holding the cap down on the hollow post, and the hollow post and casing cover on the casing base.

Removal of this nut permits all of said parts to be lifted away as has been noted.

The worm wheel 23 is formed or mounted at the upper end of a sleeve 34 which is housed within the hollow body of the handle post, and bears on the mounting post. This sleeve carries, at its lower end an eccentric 35, which serves to oscillate the operating plate for the two movable cutter members.

This plate has a central portion 36 within 'which is an oblong opening or slot 37 which engages over the'eccentric and depending from the under side of the plate are lugs 38, 38, which slide in channels 39 formed on the ribs 3, 3, of the base. A convenient way of forming the lugs is to bend them down fr'omthe sides of the plate, at theends of the central portion thereof.

Extending from the said central portion of the plate at both'ends thereof are attenuated members or tongues 40, which enter slots 41, 41, formed inthe movable cutter plates, so that when the eccentric device carry with it in its oscillations the movable cutters.

Another way of mounting the operating plate as illustrated in Figs. 5-7 is to form it with a depending collar ortion 42, at

each end of the central portion and to set' hand for both cutting operations, he has.

merely to loosen the handle thumb nut and revolve the casing around to the desired position. The handle could be set at an angle tothe casing if desired for that matter.

I do not desire because of reference to specific mechanisms in the above description to thereby limit the claims that follow beyond their evident scope and the full range of equivalents to the mechanisms called for therein.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is:

1. In a power barbers clipper, a cutter element and a casing, said casinghaving a curved base adjacent the cutter element, and said cutter element being mounted on the. casing and having a fixed member extending tangentially from the upper end of the curve of the base and a handle mounted on and above the casing adjacent the cutter element. I

2. In a powerbarbers clipper, the combination with a casing, of cutter elements at two ends of the casing, said casing having a base formed with an upward curve at the ends, said cutter elements being mountedmounted at the two ends of the casing and having portions extending upwardly from the ends of the casing, said casing having a curved base extending lengthwise thereof .from one cutter element to the other, the

said curve being sharper at the ends adjacent the cutter, and more gradual between the sharper curves, for the purpose described.

5. In a'power barbers clipper, the combination wlth a casing, an operating mechanism therein, and a plurality of cutter elements secured to the ends of said casing both of said elements being operatively connected to said operating mechanism.

6. Ina power barbers clipper, the combination with a casing, an operating mechanism therein, and a plurality of cutter elements'secured to the ends'of said casing both of said elements being operatively connected to said operating mechanism, said cutter elements being respectively coarse and fine for accomplishing different forms of clip p 7? In a barbers clipper, the combination with a casing, clipper blades mounted at both ends of the casing, and means mounted intermediate its ends on the casing and adapted to serve as a handle therefor.

8. In a barbers clipper, the combination with acasing, clipper blades mounted at both ends of the casing, and means mounted intermediate its ends on the casing and adapted toserve as a handle therefor, said casing being adjustably suspended from said handle means to reverse the position of the clippers.

9. In a barbers clipper, the combination with a casing, clipper blades mounted at both ends of the casing, and means mounted intermediate its ends on the casing and adapted to serve as a handle therefor, said means comprising interspaced grips, and a portion between said grips mounted on the casing.

10. In a barbers clipper, the combination with a casing, clipper blades mounted at both ends of the casing, a handle for the casing mounted intermediate its ends, and operating mechanism for the clippers comprisin in part a shaft borne by said handle.

11. n a barbers clipper, the combination with a casing, clipper blades mounted at both ends of the casing, a handle for the casing mounted intermediate its ends, and

operating mechanism for the clippers comprising in part ashaft borne by said handle, said handle comprising interspaced grips and a bearing intermediate the grips for receiving the said. flexible shaft.

\ I 12. In a barbers clipper, the combination with a casing, clipper blades mounted at both ends of the casing, and means mounted intermediate its ends on the casing and adapted to serve as a handle therefor, said means comprising interspaced grips, and a portion between said grips mounted on the casing, said casin being adjustably connected to said portlon, whereby the position of the casing may be adjusted.

18. In a power barbers clipper, the combination with a casing, of cutter elements mounted at two ends of the casing, said casing having a base formed with an upward curve at the ends, said cutter elements extending upwardly from the ends of said curves for the purpose described, and a handle mounted intermediate the ends of the casing and extending upwardly therefrom.

14. In a power barbers clipper, the combination with a casing, of cutter elements mounted at two ends of the casing, said casing having a base formed with an upward curve at the ends, said cutter elements extending upwardly from the ends of said curves for the purpose described, and a handle mounted intermediate the ends of the casing and extending upwardly therefrom, said handle having grips thereon, and said casing being adjustable in a plane substantially parallel with the plane defined by the major portion of the handle.

15. In a ower barbers clipper, the combination wit a casing, of cutter elements mountedat two ends of the casing, said casing having a base formed with an upward curve at the ends, said cutter elements extending upwardly from the ends of said curves for the purpose described, hoods for hearing against the clippers, and means mounted above the base of the casing for retaining said hoods in position.

16. In a ower barbers clipper, the combination with a casing, of cutter elements mounted at two ends of the casing, said casing having a base formed with an upward curve at the ends, said cutter elements extending upwardly from the ends of said curves for the purpose described, hoods for bearing against the clippers, and means mounted above the base of the casing for retaining said hoods in position, comprising in part a cover for the casing, and posts on the cover extending at right angles to the position of the cutter elements.

17. In a barbers clipper, the combination of a casing, fixed cutter plates mounted thereon and extending upwardly from both ends thereof, the casing base being curved up at the ends adjacent said fixed plates, movable cutter plates mounted to slide on the fixed plates, a plate engaging both movable plates to reciprocate them, and means for reciprocating the said plate.

18. In a barbers clipper, the combination with a casing having a base curved up at both ends, clipper blades mounted at said curved up ends, an operating plate for the clipper curved up at both ends, and a handle:1 forthe casing mounted intermediate its en s.

19. In a barbers clipper, the combination with a casing having a base curved hp at both ends, clipper, blades mounted at said curved up ends, an operating plate for the clipper curved up at both ends, and a bandle for the casing mounted intermediate its ends, said casing having a cover also curved up at both ends, and means on the cover for holding the clippers in operative posi-' tion.

20. In a barbers clipper, the combination with a casing having a base curved up at both ends, clipper blades mounted at said curved up ends, an operating plate for the clipper curved up at both ends, and a handle for the casing mounted intermediate its ends, said casing having a cover also curved up at both ends, and means on the cover for holding the clippers inoperative position, comprising posts on the .coVer and hoods set over and secured on said posts.

21. In a barbers hair clipper, the combination with a casing having a base curved upwardly at both ends, clipper blades mounted on said upwardly curved ends, a cover for the casing also turned up at both ends, hoods for the clippers, and means on the ends of the cover for mounting the hoods, for the purpose described.

22. In a barbers hair clipper, the combination with a casing having a base curved upwardly at both ends, clipper blades mounted on said upwardly curved ends, a cover for the casing also turned up atboth ends, hoods for the clippers, and means on the ends of the cover for mounting the hoods, for the purpose described, said means comprising posts on the said cover ends extending at right angles to the clippers and nuts on said posts bearing against said hoods.

- 23. In a barber's clipper, the combination of a casing, clipper blades mountedv at both ends thereof, and a handle intermediate the ends comprising a standard located onthe casing, and of interspaced gripping surfaces extending lengthwise of the case ing, and finger holds formed on both gripping surfaces.

24. In a barbers clipper, the combination of a casing, clipper blades mounted at both ends thereof, and a handle intermediate the ends comprising a standard located on the casing, and of interspaced gripping surfaces extending lengthwise of the casing, and finger holds formed on both gripping surfaces, said casing being adjustable on the handle whereby the desired finger holds may be employed alike for clipping with either end of the structure.

25. In a barbers clipper, the combination of a casing, a pair of guides therein, a plate.

slidable crosswise of the casing on said guides, a plurality of movable clipper elements, slidably mounted adjacent the ends '-of said casing, means for imparting reciprocatory movement to the plate, and means on the plate for. directly engaging the movable clipper elements.

26. In a barbers clipper, the combination of a casing, guides located within said casing and crosswise thereof, a plurality of clipper blades mounted at the ends of said casing and having movable members thereon, a plate mounted on the guides to move crosswise of the casing, means for imparting said crosswise movement to the plate, said plate being in direct engagement with the movable members.

27. In a barbers clipper, the combination of a casing, a plurality of blades mounted thereon, a handle therefor, and a cover therefor, and means for retaining said handle on the casing, said handle being adapted to bear on the cover and retain it in place on the casing.

28. In a barbers clipper the combination of a casing, a plurality of blades mounted thereon, a handle therefor, a cover for the casing, said handle comprising in part a standard adapted to engage the cover and retain it in place, and a post on the casing, and means on the post for retaining the handle in place thereon.

29. In a barbers clipper, the combination of a casing, a plurality of blades thereon, and a standard located centrally of the casing and removable therefrom, said stand ard having mounted therein an eccentric driving mechanism, and an operating plate for operating both clippers, said plate adapted to slide sidewise in the casing and in operative engagement with the eccentric mechanism on the standard. j

30. Ina barbers clipper, the combination of a casing, a plurality of blades thereon, and a standard located centrally of the casing and removable therefrom, said standard having mounted therein an eccentric vdriving mechanism, and an operating plate for operating both clippers, said plate adapted to slide sidewise in the casing and in operative engagement with the eccentric mechanism on the standard, said standard having grips thereon to serve as a handle for the device.

31. In a barbers clipper, the combination with a casing, of a plurality of blades mounted on said casing, and a single driving element for both clippers, said element extending rigidly across the casing from one element to the other.

32. In a barbers clipper, the combination of a casing, clippers at both ends of the casing, interconnecting mechanism between the clippers for operating them simultaneously, a handle for the device mounted on the casing, and means within the handle for driving the said interconnecting mechanism.

33. A barbers clipper, having a long narrow casing, clipper blades mounted at the ends of the casing, a handle mounted on the casing intermediate its ends, said handle comprising in part a central standard means within said standard for housing a worm wheel and an eccentric driven thereby, means for housing a worm in mesh with sand worm Wheel, and mechanism within the casing and under control of the said eccentric for operating the clipper blades.

34. A barbers clipper, having a long nar, row casing, clipper blades mounted at the ends of the casing, a handle mounted on the casing intermediate its ends, said handle comprising-in part a central standard means within said standard for housing a worm wheel and an eccentric driven thereby, means for housing a Worm in mesh with said worm wheel, and mechanism within the easing and under control of the said eccentric for operating the clipper blades, said mecha-' nism comprising a plate having a Wide central portion apertured to seat around the eccentric tongues for engaging the clipper blades, and guide elements for permitting a lateral reciprocatory movement only.

.35. In a barbers clipper, the combination of a casing, having a base curved upwardly at the ends, fixed cutter blades mounted at said ends, movable cutter blades on the fixed blades, and an operating plate for the movable cutter blades, comprising a wide central portion, having an eccentric engaging aperture, and tongues engaging within the movable cutter blades, said tongues being turned upwardly to respond to the shape of the casing base.

36. In a barbers clipper, the combination with a casing having a base, and sides, and open at the top, clipper elements mounted at the two ends of said casing, and an operating plate for the clipper elements, adapted to be dropped into the casing through the open top thereof, and guides in the caslng for mounting the plate to slide transversely.

87. In a barbers hair clipper, the combination of a casing having a base, clipper elements mounted at both ends of the base,

- tracks on the base for slidably supporting tion terminating in a stationary clipperblade, a cover therefor, means carried by I said base for securing the base to said cover and a convex curve intermediate said means and the extremity of the clipper blade.

40. In a barbers hair clipper, a base portion, a bearing channel formed in said base, a cllpper at the end of said base, an operating plate adjacent the channel, lugs earned y said plate slidable in sand channel, a

handle on said base and said channel extending a distance below said lugs thereby forming a space for a lubricant.

41. In a barbers hair clipper, a base portion, bearing channels formed in said base, clipper elements at the ends of said base, an operating plate, lugs carried by said plate slidable in said channels, said channels extending a distance below said lugs thereby forming a space for a lubricant.

42. In a barbers hair clipper, a base portion, a bearing channel in said base, a clipper element at the end of said base, an op erating plate, lugs on said plate, a rod passing through said lugs and supported in said channel, said channel extending a distance below said lugs thereby forming a space to receive a lubricant.

43. In a barbers hair clipper, .a base portion, bearing channels in said base, clipper elements at the ends of said base, an operating plate, lugs on said plate, rods slidably supporting said lugs in said channels, said channels extending a distance below said lugs thereby forming a space to receive a lubricant.

nr mmo v. N. TOMASULO. A 

